CPM party congress: 'Will continue pact with Congress, but not in Kerala'

MADURAI: The CPM party congress in Madurai decided to make Congress the prime rival in Kerala while cooperating with the grand old party at the national level. That party also advised comrades about the need for hard work to increase the vote percentage.

According to CPM:

Congress, with its nationwide secular status, could play an efficient role in resisting the RSS-BJP nexus in the country. It doesn’t mean that CPM would agree with every Congress ideology. If it matters to lock horns with Congress, CPM would do so.

The strength of CPM waned after joining hands with secular parties to counter BJP rule. The number of seats allotted from the INDIA alliance also saw a dip. Politburo member Brinda Karat suggested CPM adopt a policy of independent growth as a political alternative in West Bengal and Tripura, their erstwhile fiefdoms. Brinda Karat said that the policy would bear fruit if the party provided space for self-criticism.

The party congress had no qualms about CPM aligning with secular forces to fight BJP. The congress suggested CPM prioritise independent growth as a political outfit even though part of INDIA alliance.